Political news from elsewhere

[Jot the Dot Dot]

Someone should tell them this is the 21st Century! https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/ar...il-Indonesia-outlaw-sex-outside-marriage.html

 

[ballettmaus]

Spain's Prime Minister was unable to form a government, so they're expected to have another election. It's the fourth in as many years. https://edition.cnn.com/2019/09/18/europe/spain-elections-pedro-sanchez-intl/index.html

 

[Buzz]

The mystery of Cuba’s “sonic Weapon” may finally have been solved!

Cuba's 'sonic weapon' may have been mosquito gas

A mystery illness that has blighted diplomats in Havana may have been due to fumigation, a study says.

www.bbc.com

 

[Vagabond]

The state of Oaxaca decriminalized abortion during the first twelve weeks of pregnancy. The only other jurisdiction in Mexico to allow abortions in some instances is the Federal District.

Slowly, slowly, progress is made.

 

[Buzz]

One man's 3,000km march to oust Putin

'Shaman warrior' Alexander Gabyshev walked across Russia for six months with the aim of confronting the president.

www.bbc.com

 

[ballettmaus]

Preliminary results say that the ÖVP (Sebastian Kurz' party) won the election, with the SPÖ coming in second. The FPÖ is third but lost a lot of voters while the Green Party gained a lot. https://www.euronews.com/2019/09/29/polls-open-as-austria-votes-in-snap-election

 

[Buzz]

Italy’s populist government plans to cut the number representatives in parliament and the senate, but critics fear it is a blow to democracy.

Italy reduces size of parliament 'to save €1bn in a decade'

The ruling Five Star party says cutting the number of MPs and senators will save €1bn over 10 years.

www.bbc.com

 

[Jot the Dot Dot]

Just when you think some parts of the world are getting more enlightened: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/ar...ys-bill-brings-death-penalty-homosexuals.html

 

[Buzz]

Anti government protests continue in Lebanon. Protesters want the government to resig.

Cracks appear in Lebanon's governing coalition after third day of protests

A Christian party has quit Lebanon’s coalition government after more protests against tax rises and alleged corruption

www.theguardian.com

 

[Buzz]

There have also been protests in Chile sparked by a rise in metro fares.

Chile protests: Three dead in supermarket fire as clashes continue

The protests were sparked by a rise in metro fares, which has since been suspended.

www.bbc.com

 

[Buzz]

Chile protests: Cost of living protests take deadly toll

Officials say eight people were killed on Sunday as looting broke out, bringing the total to 11.

www.bbc.com

 

[Buzz]

Erdogan has nuclear ambitions.

Erdogan’s Ambitions Go Beyond Syria. He Says He Wants Nuclear Weapons. (Published 2019)

A month before invading Kurdish areas in Syria, Turkey’s president said he “cannot accept” the West’s restrictions that keep him from a bomb.

www.nytimes.com

 

[oleada]

Bogota elected its first female mayor, Claudia López. She’s also openly gay.

After the presidency, the Bogota mayor is probably the most important elected post in Colombia. I think she’s the first LGBT mayor in a South American capital.

 

[Buzz]

Indonesian man who helped set strict adultery laws flogged for adultery

The 46-year-old Indonesian was caned 28 times; the woman involved was caned 23 times.

www.bbc.com

 

[Buzz]

This is so sickening!

Afghanistan: Blast kills nine children as they walk to school

The Afghan children accidentally triggered a roadside bomb on their way to class, officials say.

www.bbc.com

 

[Buzz]

The Money Farmers: How Oligarchs and Populists Milk the E.U. for Millions (Published 2019)

The European Union spends $65 billion a year subsidizing agriculture. But a chunk of that money emboldens strongmen, enriches politicians and finances corrupt dealing.

www.nytimes.com

 

[Buzz]

Ebola: Attackers kill DR Congo journalist shining light on virus

The army says Congolese radio host Papy Mumbere Mahamba was killed at home by unidentified men.

www.bbc.com

The BBC World Service's Africa editor Will Ross says over the past year there have been dozens of attacks on health centres and on people working to stop Ebola.
The violence is thought to be fuelled by the belief among many people that the ***** is not real, which can lead to mistrust of those working in the sector.
When medics call for people to forgo traditional rites to ensure safe burials, for example, it can create animosity. Some people even feel Ebola is a hoax created by medics to get well-paid jobs

 

[Buzz]

Bolivian President Evo Morales resigns amid election protests

Demonstrators, who accused him of election fraud, chant "yes we could" as they celebrate.

www.bbc.com

 

[Vagabond]

Evo Morales is a left-wing populist who undermined democracy and outstayed his shelf life. Certain right-wing populists could learn something from him.

 

[Buzz]

James Le Mesurier, White Helmets co-founder, discovered dead in Turkey

The body of ex-British Army officer James Le Mesurier is found near his office in Istanbul.

www.bbc.com

 

[Buzz]

‘Absolutely No Mercy’: Leaked Files Expose How China Organized Mass Detentions of Muslims (Published 2019)

More than 400 pages of internal Chinese documents provide an unprecedented inside look at the crackdown on ethnic minorities in the Xinjiang region.

www.nytimes.com

 

[Japanfan]

Disturbing - the issue is finally getting some, or more, international attention. I've read elsewhere that the number of detainees in camps is 3 million. To anyone who thought the Holocaust could never happen again - it is. I do understand that these camps aren't akin to the Holocaust camps in that they are not gassing people to death. But even so, the situation speaks to ongoing human rights issues in the world.

‘Absolutely No Mercy’: Leaked Files Expose How China Organized Mass Detentions of Muslims (Published 2019)

More than 400 pages of internal Chinese documents provide an unprecedented inside look at the crackdown on ethnic minorities in the Xinjiang region.

www.nytimes.com

 

[Japanfan]

On a more positive note, Japanese women take a stand.


ladeez!

https://www.washingtonpost.com/worl...r-glasses-work-their-response-has-been-fiery/

 

[DELTA]

Evo Morales is a left-wing populist who undermined democracy and outstayed his shelf life. Certain right-wing populists could learn something from him.

Bolivia coup led by Christian fascist paramilitary leader and millionaire with foreign support

Bolivia coup led by Christian fascist paramilitary leader and millionaire – with foreign support | The Grayzone

Bolivia coup leader Luis Fernando Camacho led a Christian fascist group in Santa Cruz. He has courted support from Colombia, Brazil, Venezuela's opposition

thegrayzone.com

 

[MsZem]

Looks like there may be a new country on the way:

Birth of a nation? Bougainville's independence referendum explained

It is a vote that has been 20 years in the making. On Saturday, residents of the remote archipelago in the Solomon Sea will start to decide their future

www.theguardian.com

 

[Buzz]

Russians under threat over gay Q&A video

A criminal investigation is opened over a video where children ask a gay man about his life and sexuality.

www.bbc.com

 

[Vagabond]

Hong Kong voters deliver landslide victory for pro-democracy campaigners
Pro-democracy politicians projected to control 18 out of 18 councils after proxy vote on Carrie Lam’s leadership

In democratic elections, people vote for democracy. Well, well!

 

[PRlady]

Not surprising but significant: https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2019...desire-to-leave-hits-10-year-high-poll-a68320

Even back in the Cold War, the huge difference was that millions wanted to become Americans and almost no one wanted to be Russian. Watching Trump squander our soft power, emulating Putin’s authoritarianism, is just one more thing to be upset about.

 

[Buzz]

Controversy has erupted at an Indian University because of it’s appointment of a Muslim professor to teach Sanskrit. Fortunately there are many teachers and students who support Mr. Khan.

The Muslim Sanskrit professor boycotted over his religion

A professor is being boycotted by students who argue that a Muslim individual cannot teach Sanskrit.

www.bbc.com

 

[BlueRidge]

India Prepares to Block Naturalization for Muslims (NY Times)

This is really frightening.

HYDERABAD, India — India took a major step toward the official marginalization of Muslims on Monday, as Parliament opened debate on a bill that would establish a religious test for migrants’ eligibility to become citizens, solidifying Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Hindu-nationalist agenda.

The bill, which is expected to easily pass the lower house of Parliament, would give migrants of all of South Asia’s major religions — except Islam — a clear path to Indian citizenship. It is the most significant move yet to profoundly alter India’s secular nature enshrined by its founding leaders when the country gained independence in 1947.